La Salle, Green Tree Host Autism Conference Friday

PHILADELPHIA (CBS) – Green Tree Partnerships and La Salle University will hold its Sixth Annual Autism Conference on Friday. One difficult topic on the agenda is sex education for those on the Autism spectrum.

Experts say six out of every 1,000 children born will be diagnosed with some form of Autism. As these children mature into adolescence and then adulthood, sexuality becomes a very important issue says Dr. Thomas Latus Executive Director of Green Tree Partnerships.

“Autism, of course, is a spectrum and the range of cognitive development varies. But what all these people have in common is issues with communication and interpersonal relationships. And that of course is a lot of what human sexuality is about.”

Latus says more than 300 people are expected to attend conference.

“Including parents, people along the Autism spectrum, teachers, professionals, advocates.”

Dr. Peter Gerhardt, founding chair of the Scientific Council for the Organization for Autism Research is the keynote speaker and will provide information on the issue of sex education.

Latus says Spanish and American sign language interpreters will be on hand throughout the conference, which takes place at La Salle’s Student Union Building beginning at 8am.